Apparatus for treating liquids



Dec 10, 1929..

A JENSEN mamas APPARATUS FOR TREATING LIQUIDS Filed Nov. 9, 1926 8 Sheets-fibei: l

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BY WA,%7 4 V Wm TTORNEYS.

Dec. 1% W29, A. JENSEN 1,738,953

I APPARATUS FOR TREATING LIQUIDS Filed Nov. 9, 1926 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 I E R 's TORNEYS.

Dec. '10, 1929. A. JENSEN 1,733,953

APPARATUS FOR TREATING LIQUIDS Filed Nov. 9, 1926 a Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

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Dec. 10, 1929. A. JENSEN APPARATUS FOR TREATING LIQUIDS Filed Nov. 9, 1926 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

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Dec. 1U, 1 929. A. JENSEN 1,738,953

APPARATUS FOR TREATING LIQUIDS Filed Nov. 9, i926 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 ATTORNEYS.

Dem. w, 1929.. A, JENSEN 1,738,953

APPARATUS FOR TREATING LIQUIDS Filed Nov. 9, 1926 8 Sheets-$119291; 6

W? flfl 7% INVENTOR. I mg 65 7 73 m g jfiwwwv/ Y WM BY ATTORNEYS.

Dec. 10, 1929. JENSEN 1,738,953.

APPARATUS FOR TREATING LIQUIDS F iled Nov. 9. 1926 a sneets-sheet 7 @C. 10, 1929. JENSEN APPARATUS FOR TREAT ING LIQUIDS Filed Nov. 9, 1926 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 v I N VEN TOR.

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I Patented Dec. if), 1929 UNITED STATE$ AAGE JENSEN", DE 10% ANGELES, CALIFORINTA arrena'rus non ranaarnemourns Application flied November 9, 1926. SeriaINo. 147,244.

This invention relates to an apparatus for treating liquids, such as is employed in the pasteurization of milk, cream, culture production, ice cream manufacture, and the processing of fruit, vegetables, and the like. I The present invention contemplates the heating and cooling of a liquid or semi-solid, and makes use of a rotating coil suspended in the liquid and through which steam, water, brine, or the like is circulated. Examples of apparatus heretofore employed for like purposes may be seen in my prior Patents Number 949,769 of February 22, 1910, and Number 1,156,361 of October 12, 1915.

It will be noted that these prior devices employ a single rotatable coil journaled within a container, the same coil being used to circulate at different stages of the treatment, steam, water, and brine. The use of a single unit for carrying on these different stages of treatment has been found to be objectionable,

for the following reasons:

First, the treated liquids must remain during the process application as well as after in a singleqcontainer while the alternating treatment, of heating, holding and cooling, proceeds, following which the product ,is transferred to individual containers for transportation or sale. This transfer and ex-.

tra handling in itself is attended with risk of recontamination of the product, mechanical losses, as well as generally increasing the labor cost.

Second, to introduce the various treating mediums used in heating andicooling, including refrigerated brine, involves the danger of dilution and waste of same, from the fact that a complete replacement must be made of each medium before the action of the succeeding medium can be made to apply. Some plant operators overcome this objection by using compressed air to remove under pressure the left-over mediums, before introducing others; but this is usually attendant with a costly mechanical installation, besides requiring detailed care and labor.

Third, there is danger that corrosive chemical action will take place in the coil, where diluted brine solutions remain in the coil or jackets,and thereafter steam or water at high temperature is introduced, as when pasteuriz ng. In fact, experience shows that copper coils over i in metal thickness have completely disintegrated in a single yearsuse from chemical corrosion, the'result of hightemperature and magnesium chloride.

The object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages above noted, and

generally to improve the construction and .0p-

eration of the apparatus, as well as to improve and expedite the processes involved therewith.

In the present invention the liquid treated remains in the original container, which conta ner for convenience may be used as the shlpplng container or any approved form. The treating rocess is carried on with a separate coil unit for pasteurizing, a separate coil unit for water cooling, and a third coil unit for brine cooling, thus ayoiding all of the objections above set forth.

The coils are journaled on meansother than the container, and provision is made for raislng and lowering the latter, so as to bring the coils within the confines of the containers. Preferably the containers are carried on movable platforms or trucks, so as to facilitate advancing them from one coil unit to the otlier. h

n t e accompanyin drawin b we. of illustration I show sey eral form s whihh my invention may assume.

.Fig. 1 shows a side elevation of one form of the apparatus;

Fig. 2 shows a of the same;

Fig. 3 shows an'end elevation of the device shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 shows a sectional elevation on line IV-IV of Figs. 1 and 2;

. Fig. 5 shows a vertical central sectional view of the operating connections leading to one of the coils;

Fig. 6 shows a side elevation, partly in section, of a modified form of the device, wherein the various coil units are arranged in a circle or a triangle, rather than in a straight line, as illustrated in the preceding-figures;

Fig. 7 shows a sectional view taken on'the line VIIVII of Fig. 6;

longitudinal sectional view ringing the container into operative posi-- tion with the coil;

- wherein mechanical means are provided Fig. 11 shows a detail sectional view of the latch mechanism employed in Fig. 10 for retaining the elevator in lowered position;

Fi 12 shows an end elevation of a modified orm of the device illustrated in Fi 10, for operating the elevator Fig. 13 shows a modified vertical sectional view of a portion of the device of Fig. 12, showing hand-operated chain hoist for the elevator;

F Fig. 14 shows an elevation opposite that of ig. 15 shows a plan view of the device of Fig. 12; 1 ig. 16 shows a perspective view of an improved form of coil head used in the present apparatus;

Fig. 17 shows a plan sectional view of the upper portion of the coil head;

Fig. 18 shows a plan view of the lower portion of the same;

Fig. 19 shows a vertical central sectional view of the coil head;

Fig. 20 shows a sectional view taken at right angles to Fig. 19, on line XX--XX.

The apparatus illustrated in Figs. 1 to"4 inclusive comprises a frame 10 on which is mounted in a strai ht line three rotatable Coils 11. These coiFs are each carried on a vertically disposed hollow shaft 12 journaled in bearings carried on the upper part of the frame. The hollow shaft is driven through suitable gearing 13 by means of a line shaft 14 having a clutch connection 15 with a motor 16 or other source of power.

Within the hollow shaft is a tube 17, the upper end of which enters a chamber 18, which is supplied with steam, water, brine, or other treating medium through a pipe 19. The lower end of the tube enters an inner passageway in a coil head 20, with which is connected the inlet end of the coil. The coil is in the form of a double helix winding in opposite directions, with the outlet end connected to an outer passageway. in the coil head 20. This outer passageway in turn connects withthe hollow shaft 12, and the upper end of the hollow shaft through ports 21 opens into a chamber 22, from which leads apipe 23 serving as a return for the treating medium. Suitable pumping mechanism, not shown, is included in the pipe connections, so that a constant circulation of treating medium may be maintained through the coil.

which serves as the Containers carrying liquid to be treated are indicated at 24. They may be ordinary cans such as are used for shipping or transporting the li uid, and are shown mounted each on a true: 25 operating on tracks 26. The tracks are arraqged upon a platform 27 oor of an elevator, and is adapted to be raised or lowered by suitable operating mechanism, so as to lift the cans or containers into position where the coils can be immersed in the liquid therein. The elevator includes vertical guides 28 co-operating with suitable guide rails on the frame 10. There is a pair of these guide rails 28 at each end of the elevator, and they are connected across at their u per ends by bars 29. Cables 30 are connected to each cross-bar, and these cables run over shives 31 to a piston rod 32, which is located near the middle of the apparatus, at one side thereof. The rod carries a piston working in a cylinder 33, and the cylinder is provided with an inlet pipe 34 and an outlet pipe 35. A pump 36 for supplying fluid under pressure is connected with the pipes 34 and 35. This pump is driven preferably by a sprocket chain connection 37 from the line shaft 14, there being a clutch 38 to connect and disconnect the drive.

' under pressure to the top thereof, thus causing the piston to descend and bring the elevator to the required height, where the containers thereon envelop the coils. I show a pressure relief valve 39 between pipes 34 and 35,,to prevent excessive pressures in the cylinder when the pistonhas reached the end of its stroke. There is a return connection 40 between the inlet and outlet pipes. and a suitable control valve 41, whereby fluid may be returned from the top to the bottom of the cylinder to permit the piston to rise in the cylinder and allow the elevator to be lowered.

When the containers are in elevated position the coils are immersed in the liquid therein, and are rotated at a speed of two to four thousand lineal inches per minute, with the treating medium continuously circulated therethrough. In the first coil, for example. steam may be used as the treating medium if the desired operation is that of pasteurizw tion. By reason of the rotation of the coil, thetransmission of heat to the liquid contents of the can will be several times more rapid than if the coil were stationary. The second coil, for example, may contain water for pre-cooling the liquid which has undergone heating by the first coil, and the third coil may contain brine for giving a brine treatment to the liquid which has been subjected to the first two stages of treatment,

these being the usual three stages in pasteurisive and continuous treatment, while remaining in the containers which serve as its shipment or storage containers. In each stage or step, a truck carrying a can of liquid .to be treated is rolled onto the elevator and positioned beneath the first coil,and thecan which previously was aligned with the first coil is advanced to the second coil, and so on, through progressive stages.

lt is not essential that the coils be in a straight line. They may be spaced angularly, as shownin Figs. 6 to 9. Here the coils are suspended from a superstructure 42 mounted on a series of vertical posts 43, preferably four, mounted upon a 'base- 44.

Around this base isa turntable 45, to advance the cans from one station to the other. The driving mechanism for the coils embodies radially arranged shafts 46 having suitable gearing 47 at their inner ends, connected to a drive shaft 48. The turntable is provided with hoisting mechanism as follows:

Sliding sleeves 49 are arranged on the posts 43, and each pair of sleeves is connected together by a cross-bar 50 to which a cable 51 is secured. .These cables extend over shives 52 and connect with a piston rod 53 which has a piston arranged in a fluid pressure cylinder 54, said cylinder being disposed centrally between the posts 43 and secured to the base 44. The turntable has upper and lower rings 55 surrounding the guide sleeves 49 and contacting therewith, these rings being interconnected by uprights 56.

The cross-bars 50 project far enough to engage beneath the upper ring 55, so that when the guid sleeves are raised the turntable will be lifted.

As in the apparatus of Figs. 1 to 4, fluid pressure in the cylinder 54 is supplied by a pump indicated at 57, which is connected to suitable gearing and clutch mechanlsm through the drive shaft. Fluid pressure pipes and control valves similar to those of Figs. 1 to '4 inclusive are arranged between the pump and cylinder.

The turntable 45 is provided with radially extending tracks 58, so that the cans can be placed on trucks and rolled onto the turntable and positioned beneath the coils. The platform is then elevated, and after the first stage of treatment is completed the platform is lowered and revolved manually a suflicient distance to advance the first truck to a position underthe second coil, and so forth.

In the forms illustrated in Figs. 6 to 9, I show the coils offset from the center line of the cans, this being preferable sometimes, to increase the friction between the rotating coil and the body of liquid. I also show a shield or cover "59 secured to the superstruc 'ture above each coil and in position to cooperate with the top of the can, so as to form t a closure therefor when the can is in elevated position. This will serve to protect the contents of the can during treatment A temperature indicator 60 may conveniently be mounted on this shield.

In Fig. 10 I show a single coil unit consistin of a frame having a base 61, vertical ho low posts 62, and a top plate 63. The coil is suspended from the top plate and driven by suitable gearing 64. The can rests upon a platform 65, which is guided vertically by sleeevs 66 slidable on the posts 62. Cables 67 are attached to the platform, and run over shives 68 at the top and connect to counterweights 69 arranged within the hol low posts. The weights should be slightly less than the weight of the filled can, so that only aslight manual efi'ort is required to lift the filled can. The platform is held in raised. position by lugs 76 on the sleeves, engaging with pivoted books 71 on the posts. Means are provided for holding the empty platform in lowered position, as shown in Fig. 11, which consists of a bar 72 projecting from the platform and adapted to co-operate with a latch 73 connected to the base 61. A foot lever 74 is provided to release the latch.

In thisform of the apparatus I show a cover 75 suspended from the top plate 63 and adapted to fit closely'upon the top of the container and to be secured thereto by clamps 76, so as to form an air-tight closure. Suitable connections 7 7, similar to what are disclosed in my prior patents above referred to, may be rovided for the purpose of producing a su or abnormal pressure within the container, which is found desirable in various kinds of treatment.

In Figs. 12 to 15 inclusive, an apparatus similar to that of Fig. 10 is disclosed, except that the platform 65 is lifted and lowered by ahand-crank 78, which, through a worm 79, drives a gear 80. The gear is. fixed on a shaft which carries a sprocket wheel 81, and a chain 82 runs over the sprocket wheel, be ing connected at one end to the platform and at the opposite end to a counterweight 69.

In Figs. 16m 20 I show a novel form of coil head which affords separate inlet and outlet passageways to the coil, and permits quick assembly and disassembly. This coil head comprises a top plate 83 havin a threaded pipe or socket 84 to receive the %ollow shaft 12. Spaced inwardly from the socket 84 by means'of a spider 85 is a ring 86, threaded to receive a tube 17. A lower plate 87 is fastened to the top plate by bolts 88, and this lower plate is provided with a divided'cross-head, one end 89 of which communicates with the pipe 17 and the other end 90 with the hollow shaft 12. The part 89 serves to receive the inlet end of the coil, and the part 90 receives the outlet end of the coil. With this construction the coil can be detached from the hollow shaft and the pipe 17 b merely removing the bolts 88.

ith this method the plant operator can deal with small as well as large individual with the assurance that each individual delivery or batch of raw material receives rompt and efiicient treatment, which is often siflicult to obtain where deliveries of the raw material are made covering a period of several hours.

With m improved method and apparatus,

1 the instal ation cost is reduced'very materially from the fact that the containers themselves can be made .to serve as transportation or storage units.

The question of cleaning following use is greatly simplified from the fact that all mechanical parts are made accessible entirely apart fromthe fluid containers, when not in actual use.

The method shown for treating the liquid, consisting of suspended helical coils in units of one or more, includes the essential features of (A) no hearings or glands in the liquid space; (B) the feature of expelling an or other gases through the upward rotation of the coil; (C) self-agitation introduced by placing the container (if round) eccentr c to the central position of the coil; or by using containers square, oblong, or irregular in shape; (D) having the helical coil and driving mechanism stationary and the container movable, etc., all of which discloses new applications in the art of treating liquids.

With suitable modifications to the apparatus, the processin operation can be conducted under subnorma pressure, meaning either vacuum or above normal pressure, as best suited to the particular product to be treated. For example, if it is desired to eliminate the intimately incorporated oxygen or any injurious gases from a particular product, it can be accomplished by sealing the cover to the container, and introducing suction to the product; or if desired to treat the product under pressure, the cover can be sealed by a clamp screw, all as shown in the drawings.

Again, it may be of advantage to transfer the treated liquid to a different container, which is readily accomplished by applying positive pressure to the top of the closed container and connecting a conduit from the bottom of the same to any location desired.

' The'method described herein is applicable to many other kinds of products, perishable or otherwise, among which may be mentioned mayonnaise, fruit juices, etc. It is also applicable in the preparation of foods in hotels and canneries; also for industrial plant uses. Having thus described my invent-ion, .what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An apparatus for treating liquids, comprising a rotating coil, means for circulating a treating medium therethrougln'an open top container for liquid to be treated, normally separated from the coil, and means for bringing the coil and container into position where the coil will be immersed in the liquid therein, and a cover arranged to'form a closure for the to of the container when the coil is immerse therein.

2. An apparatus for treating liquids, comprising a rotating coil, arran ed at an elevated position, means for circu ating a treating medium through said coil, means to support an open top container for theliquid to e treated, in osition beneath the coil, means for moving t e support into position where the coil will be immersed in the liquid in the container, and a cover arranged to form a closure for the top of the container when the latter is in position with the coil immersed in the liquid therein.

3. An apparatus for treating liquids, comprising a plurality of rotating coils arranged In an elevated position and spaced laterally apart, means for circulating a treating medium through said coils, a platform to support containers for the liquid to be treated, in position beneath the coils, and means for raising and lowering the platform to bring the containers and coils into operative relation.

4. An apparatus for treating liquids, comprising a plurality of rotating coils arranged in an elevated position and spaced laterally apart, means for circulating a treating me dium through said coils, a platform to support containers for the liquid to be treated, in positionbeneath the coils, means for raising and lowering the platform to bring the containers and coils'into operative relation, and means for advancing the containers from aposition beneath one coil to a position beneath the next adjacent coil.

5. An apparatus for treating liquids, com: prising a series of rotating coils arranged in an elevated position and spaced laterally apart, means for circulating a different treating medium through each of said coils, means for supporting a container filled with liquid to be treated, beneath each of said coils, means for raising and lowering the support, and means for advancing the containers from one coil to the other.

6. An apparatus for treating liquids, comprising a series of rotating coils arranged in an elevated position and spaced laterally apart, means for circulating a dilierent treating medium through each of said coils, a turntable adapted to support containers filled with liquid to be treated, in position beneath the coils, and means for raising and lowering the turntable to bring the containers and coils into operative relation, said turntable being capable of movement to advance the containers from one coil to the next adjacent coil.

7. An apparatus for treating liquids, comprising a series of rotating coils arranged in an elevated position and spaced laterally apart, means for circulating a treating medium through said coils, a platform to sup- Ill til

Eli

a tuhe for circulating a treating medium.

through the coil, means for rotating the coil,

and means on the frame for lilting a con tainer tilled with liquid to he treated, into position wherethe coil will he immersed therein.

d. An apparatus for treating liquids, comprising a coil," a hollow shalt communicating with one end of the coil, a tuhe within the shalt communicating with the opposite and oil the coil, and connecting means between the coil ends and the hollow shaft and tube,

comprising a top plate having inner and outer chamloers to receive the hollow shalt and tube, and a lower plate detachably secured to the top plate and formed with inner and outer chambers communicating with the like chambers in the top plate, and in turn receivin theends of the coil.

10. it; an apparatus for treating liquids, a coil, a hollow shaft communicating with one end of the coil, a tube within' the shaft communicating with the other end or the coil, and communicating means between the shaft and the tube and the coil ends, comprising a ,top plate having a socket threaded onto the hollow shaft, :1 ringspaced inwardly from the socket and threaded onto the tube/withinv the shaft, 9. lower plate detachably connected to the top plate and having a socket to receive one end of the coil, which socket communicates with the s ace between the ring and hollow shaft, an another socket to receive the opposite end of the coil, said lastnamedsocket communicatin with the space within the ring in the top p ate.

11. An apparatus for treating liquids, comprising a plurality of rotating coils disposed at difierent stations, means for circulating a different treating medium through each of said coils, a plurahty of containers filled with Y the liquid to be treated, and means for imparting relative movement between the coils and containers whereby said coils may be immersed in the liquid in each of the containers in succession so as to subject the liquid to a progressive treatment.

AAGE JENSEN. 

